Alun Wyburn-Powell

Alun Wyburn-Powell's latest book is Political Wings (published by Pen & Sword), a biography of William Wedgwood Benn, first Viscount Stansgate, father of Tony Benn, defector from the Liberals to Labour and cabinet minister under MacDonald and Attlee.

Alun is a political historian, whose first degree was from Downing College, Cambridge. He received his PhD from the University of Leicester for his research into political defections. His interest in politics is almost life-long: his father stood for Parliament when he was two. He is particularly interested in coalition governments, political defections and Liberal Party history.

Alun's first book was Clement Davies - Liberal Leader (Politico's, 2003). Clem Davies was leader of the Liberal Party from 1945 to 1956, during the party's darkest years. Alun also published Defectors and the Liberal Party 1910 to 2010, (Manchester University Press, 2012).

Dr Wyburn-Powell has discussed his research in the media on BBC Breakfast TV, BBC Radio 4 Westminster Hour, the Week in Westminster, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, Colourful Radio and BBC Radio Leicester among others, and has also carried out consultancy assignments for the Cabinet Office, Welsh Office, Diocese of Leicester, Channel Tunnel and Scottish Development Agency.

At City University London, Dr Wyburn-Powell teaches the Politics and Current Affairs and Political Scandals undergraduate modules and has contributed to the MA programme. He is also an honorary research fellow at the University of Leicester, where he is a member of the Panel of Election Experts.